When we think of traditional Chinese celebrations, red paper lanterns often come to mind. But have you ever wondered why they are found everywhere, from Chinese restaurants to streets in China Town? On occasions like Chinese New Year, these objects hang prominently in front of homes and throughout cities. To understand why they are an integral part of Chinese culture, this Pacific Prime China article covers all you need to know about the Chinese Lantern Festival.
About the Chinese Lantern Festival
The Chinese Lantern Festival takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It is celebrated two weeks after Chinese New Year and marks the first full moon of the year. Also known as the Spring Lantern Festival, the occasion marks the end of the Spring Festival (or Chinese New Year) period.
The Chinese Lantern Festival in 2022 falls on Tuesday, February 15th. In any given year, the festival falls between February 4th and March 6th. It’s worth noting that the festival is not to be confused with other lantern festivals, such as those that typically occur in Autumn (like the Mid-Autumn Festival). To remember this, think of the significance of the Chinese Lantern Festival as the final day of the 15-day long Chinese New Year celebrations and the start of the spring season.
The night of the Chinese Lantern Festival is a beautiful sight to see in many parts of China. Colorful lanterns line the streets, which often have riddles written on them. The lanterns symbolize letting go of the year that has passed and welcoming the new year with good fortune.
To celebrate, people gather to watch dragon and lion dances, eat Tang Yuan/Yuan Xiao (sweet rice balls in soup), and enjoy the fireworks. Once the festival is over, Chinese New Year taboos no longer apply and all CNY decorations are taken down.
Why is the Chinese Lantern Festival celebrated?
While there are several versions of the Chinese Lantern Festival history, what is agreed on is that the festival has been around for thousands of years. The festival is important for a few reasons.
To start, it marks the first full moon of the lunar calendar as well as the start of spring. It is also a time of promoting peace, forgiveness, reconciliation, and, of course, celebration. In fact, the shape of the rice balls eaten during this time symbolize unity amongst family members. The festival also has religious aspects that are significant to Buddhists.
For these reasons and more, it’s easy to see why the Chinese Lantern Festival means a lot to those who celebrate it.
How to celebrate the Chinese Lantern Festival
With various origin stories and ways to commemorate the occasion, you may be wondering how the Lantern Festival is celebrated. Here are some of the top things to do during the Chinese Lantern Festival, no matter where you are in China.
Watch the lanterns
It’s impossible to have a lantern festival without enjoying the lanterns themselves. Lanterns come in all shapes and colors, and vary from simple to elaborate. While you can probably picture the traditional, simple lantern shapes, elaborate lanterns take them up a notch. They come in the shape of animals like fish, crabs, cranes, horses, and elephants, as well as mythical creatures like phoenixes and dragons. Others may also look like plants and flowers, or feature other impressive shapes and patterns.
Some lanterns are purely for decoration. Others symbolize releasing the past and making way for a happy and healthy future. While lanterns come in all colors, red is popular because it symbolizes good fortune (which is why it’s so prominent in many Chinese festivities and traditions like red envelopes).
Big lantern fairs are held throughout China during the Lantern Festival. For example, the Yuyuan Lantern Festival in Shanghai and the Qinhuai International Lantern Festival in Nanjing.
Guess riddles
Guessing riddles is a Chinese Lantern Festival tradition that has been around since the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE) and remains one of the most popular to this day. Lantern owners write their riddles on paper notes and stick them on the lantern for people to guess. Once you think you have the answer, you can take the riddle off the lantern and check the answer with its owner. Those who guess correctly often receive a small gift.
See dragon and lion dances
Dragon and lion dances are two of China’s most renowned traditional folk dances. The dragon dance involves a line of people holding a dragon costume over their heads and moving like the mythical creature. Similarly, lion dances feature two performers in a lion costume. Drums, symbols, and gongs accompany both dances. The dragon is a symbol of good luck. Likewise, the lion symbolizes bravery and strength, and is believed to chase away evil spirits.
Eat and drink
Food and beverages are an integral part of the Chinese Lantern Festival. Eating sweet rice balls in soup, which come in a variety of fillings, is a must. The round shape symbolizes family unity and wholeness. It also matches the full moon in the sky. Some people even call the festival the Yuan Xiao Festival because of the importance of the filled glutinous rice balls.
When it comes to drinks, wine is common during the festival. However, the type of wine depends on the region or province. Festival wine, Lantern wine, Qinghong wine, and Yuanhong wine are some examples of what may be on offer. The act of drinking itself is believed to give the recipient health and luck for the year to come.
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